The types of glands included are the sweat glands, the sebaceous (fat/
oil) glands, and the mammary glands (breasts). The ducts and secretory parts of these
glands are made of epithelial tissues. Backup or supporting tissue is of FCT.
a. Sweat Glands. Sweat glands consist of a coiled secretory portion
and a wavy duct which leads to the surface of the skin. The coiled secretory portion is
located in the dermis or deeper. Sweat glands are found everywhere on the body in
association with the skin.
b. Sebaceous Glands. Sebaceous glands produce an oily substance
which lubricates the skin and hairs. The oil keeps the skin and hairs flexible. The
sebaceous glands are usually found as a part of the walls of hair follicles and their oil
flows into the follicle. In a few places without hairs, they open directly to the skin
surface.
c. Mammary Glands. In the adult human female, the mammary gland
lies in the subcutaneous layer anterior to the chest muscle (pectoralis major M.). Its
function is to nourish the newborn. A nipple is located near the center of each breast.
Around each nipple is a darkened area known as the areola. The tip of the nipple has many
small openings to allow the passage of the milk from the milk ducts. These ducts are
connected to lobes of glandular tissue located throughout the breast. Fat and fibrous CT
fill in the spaces among the lobes.
